Pechanga’s Wine Festival and Chocolate Decadence adds rock ‘n’ roll

Pechanga Resort & Casino is adding a new element to Southern California Wine Country’s largest wine festival — rock ‘n’ roll.

Bobby Blotzer, drummer for Ratt (Courtesy photo)

In addition to once again offering nearly one hundred of the best California and international wines available to taste, expect to see members of rock’s royalty including the Stray Cats, Warrant and Ratt hitting the stage to perform acoustic sets during the fourth-annual Pechanga Wine Festival and Chocolate Decadence on March 2 and 3.

The two-day extravaganza begins with the dessert, wine and music celebration Chocolate Decadence from 7 to 10 p.m. March 2 inside the Pechanga Ballroom.

From 1 to 5 p.m. March 3, the Pechanga Wine Festival kicks into gear with hundreds of varietals poured, along with great food pairings and rock stars playing acoustic sets.

The Chocolate Decadence will feature more than 30 premium wineries pouring domestic, sparkling, late harvest, Zinfandels, Syrahs and ports. Superb sparkling wines will be the order of the night and will include Schramsberg and Piper Heidsieck.

Meanwhile, Pechanga’s world-renowned chocolatier Jean-Marie Verhoeven will once again present an array of decadent treats to complement the vast selections of wines. Verhoeven will also demonstrate to guests how to make his treats from scratch, offering them up to taste once made.

Warrant guitarist Erik Turner will be entertaining guests with his acoustic and rhythm group Sunset Stripped at the Decadence.

Read related: Warrant’s Erik Turner showcases side project ‘Sunset Stripped’

In addition to performing covers of Warrant’s multi-platinum hits, they will also cover popular ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s bands like the Beatles and Led Zeppelin, as well as showcasing original songs.

Other performers include Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats and Bobby Blotzer of Ratt.

These rock stars will not only be playing tunes, but will be pouring their own wines. Turner, Rocker and Blotzer all have their own special vintages on Kristian Story Wines and will be letting fans have a taste.

The festival will feature more than 100 wineries from across the nation, as well as international vintners from France, Italy, Australia and Spain, pouring their most acclaimed varietals. Notable additions are Cakebread, Chalk Hill and Swanson.

Pechanga’s award-winning chefs will be pairing the wines with selections from their menus, including The Great Oak Steakhouse, Paisano’s, Blazing Noodles, Seafood Grotto, Bamboo, Kelsey’s and Journey’s End. Live culinary demonstrations will teach chef secrets to festival goers.

Habitat for Humanity will host silent auctions at both events to raise funds for affordable housing.

Pechanga’s Vice President of Food & Beverage, Dennis Khanh, says, “Hosting Temecula Valley’s largest wine festival is certainly a challenge every year to top the last, but it is very rewarding to develop relationships with the world’s best vintners,” Pechanga’s Vice President of Food & Beverage Dennis Khanh said.

Tickets are $75 per person. Guests must be 21 or older to attend. IDs required.

Tickets for both events are available at the Pechanga box office and ticket kiosks, by phone 877-711-2946 or online at Pechanga.com.

~Pechanga Resort & Casino